ROCHESTER, N.Y. — "Welcome to our first weekly COVID-19 briefing of 2021. And someday later this year I look forward to having our last briefing for COVID-19," said Monroe County's Public Health Director Dr. Mendoza on Thursday.

Dr. Mendoza says though the number of COVID-19 cases has leveled off somewhat, there's a long way to go.

"Our community does remain at a critical point in our fight against COVID-19, our positive activity rate is too high or hospitalization numbers and hospitalization numbers are too high," said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello.

County officials report 64 new COVID-19 deaths between December 14 and January 4. Seven-day averages for positive cases have dropped slightly since the new year, but many are still being hospitalized.

"I'm always a little bit cautious when it comes to predicting the future, I think so it's safe to say that the hospitalization numbers have plateaued, they're not going down by any stretch, they certainly aren't surging," said Mendoza.

To date, nearly 28,000 front line health care workers have received COVID-19 vaccinations. Hundreds of EMT's began receiving the vaccine last week. Next in line are private health care workers, dentists, physical therapists, funeral home workers, and others.

"Keep in mind everyone that this is going to be a long and thorough process it's not going to happen in just one week, not a month, not even in three months," said Bello.

Officials say the delivery of vaccines depends on the supply, which has come slower than anticipated.

"Your turn will arrive, and I promise you, when it does, we will make sure that you know about it," said Mendoza.